Canada is about to legalize marijuana – here’s what you need to know

Canada has just upped the stakes in the dope game – effective July 2018, it will become the second nation in the world where recreational marijuana will be legal. Before you go and stock up on online smokeshop supplies, though, there are regulations of which you should be aware before you head north of the border.
Below, we will brief you on what to expect.

1) Smokers must be a minimum of 18 years of age

It is a widely-held view that when someone turns 18 years old, they have accrued enough life experience to be considered an adult.

Military service, driving, and gaming all open up to people at this age, so it makes sense to permit them the right to choose to smoke marijuana as well.

2) Individuals will be allowed to possess four plants and 30 grams

Unlike alcohol and cigarettes, the Canadian government has opted to take a cautious approach when it comes to the legalization of this drug.

Rather than allow things to “spiral out of control” at the start, which could allow opposition parties to open a line of attack against the current government, they have decided to limit possession to no more than 30 grams (one ounce) at any given time, reducing the possibility of heavy impairment.

At home, individuals may possess a maximum of four plants to grow for their own use. These measures are expected to limit the ability of individuals to subvert government supply by starting their bootleg operations.

3) Provinces will be given wide latitude to make their own rules

These rules and others have the potential to vary widely as we move into the future, though, as federal legislation on this matter allows provinces to adjust the rules as they see fit (within federally mandated limits).

As such, some jurisdictions may choose to raise the age to 19 or 21 (or 25, as some child neurological experts have suggested), limit possession amounts below the federally mandated limits, and impose other controls, like where marijuana can be sold, or what packaging may be used.

4) Edibles won’t be legal right away

After Colorado and Washington State became the first jurisdictions in North America to legalize marijuana, many observations were made, from the lack of chaos that ensued (much to the chagrin of police lobby groups), to the massive amounts of tax dollars filling state coffers.

The sale of edible marijuana infused products made up a sizable chunk of those revenues, which makes Canada’s stance against edibles particularly confusing.

Seen as a hedge against opposition politicians who might call them out on not doing enough to protect children, it is widely expected that a relaxation of these rules will come in future years.